Risa Bramon Garcia

Known for having a keen eye for new talent as a notable Hollywood casting director, Risa Bramon Garcia made her feature directing debut with the 1999 comedy "200 Cigarettes". Previously, Bramon Garcia...
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Reteamed with Stone as associate producer and casting director for "Natural Born Killers"

Raised in Montreal, Canada

Worked with Oliver Stone, casting several of his films including "Wall Street", "Born on the Fourth of July", "The Doors" and "Talk Radio"

Was responsible for casting the principal roles for the successful ABC sitcom "Roseanne"

On first casting assignment, selected Madonna for her breakthrough screen role in "Desperately Seeking Susan"

Feature directorial debut, "200 Cigarettes"

After graduating from college, moved to Weehawken, New Jersey

Worked in various capacities at the Ensemble Studio Theater in NYC, eventually serving as producer of the company's annual marathon of one-act plays

Began staging plays in her parents' garage as a child

Co-produced the NBC comedy series "Grand"

Began working as a casting director with Billy Hopkins

Cast Sandra Bullock in her breakthrough role in the actioner "Speed"

Served as associate producer and casting director for Oliver Stone's "Heaven & Earth"

Summary

Known for having a keen eye for new talent as a notable Hollywood casting director, Risa Bramon Garcia made her feature directing debut with the 1999 comedy "200 Cigarettes". Previously, Bramon Garcia (along with casting partner Billy Hopkins) landed Madonna her breakthrough film role in 1985's "Desperately Seeking Susan". The duo were also responsible for getting Macaulay Culkin a substantial part in "Uncle Buck" (1989) and cast Sandra Bullock in her star-making turn in "Speed" (1994). Bramon Garcia worked extensively with Oliver Stone in casting several of his films, a professional relationship that resulted in her serving as associate producer as well as casting director for "Heaven & Earth" (1993) and the following year's "Natural Born Killers". On television, Bramon Garcia was responsible for the casting of the Connors in the popular ABC sitcom "Roseanne" (1988-1997), as well as several other series and specials. Additionally, she was the co-producer of the short-lived NBC comedy "Grand", and directed "A Deadly Secret: The Robert Bierer Story", an 1993 entry in the HBO series of specials "Lifestories: Families in Crisis" that featured Wil Wheaton.

Name

Role

Comments

George Bramon

Father

Sarah Bramon

Mother

American

Rene Garcia

Husband

married c. 1988

Gracie Garcia

Daughter

born c. May 1997

Sam Garcia

Son

born c. July 1996

Education

Name

York University

Notes

"I always thought of casting as my waitressing job. I spent years discovering people so that everyone else could make money and become successful while I got to go home nad wonder, 'How do I fulfill myself creatively?' Maybe that sounds horrifyingly selfish or self-serving, but it's really not the case. I got tired of it." --Risa Bramon Garcia to THE NEW YORK TIMES, February 21, 1999